The Bayelsa State government, on Sunday, hosted members of the Muslim community in the state to a banquet in commemoration of this year’s Eid-el Maulud festival.

The ceremony was held at the Government House, Yenagoa, with the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, using the occasion to congratulate Muslims on the festival.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo personally served food to more than 100 Muslims who graced the event.

He emphasised the need for them to imbibe the virtues of Prophet Muhammed by living impactful lives for which they would be remembered, even after they had gone to be with Allah.

He thanked the Muslim Ummah for their prayers and continued support for the policies and programmes of the present administration in the state.

The deputy governor, however, urged them not to relent but show more love and patriotism by praying and contributing, in whichever way possible, to the peace and development of the state and the nation.

“Only untainted love could close the yawning gap of disunity created by primordial interests and conflicts in the country,” he said.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo also urged both Christians and Muslims to warn their children and wards not to allow themselves to be used by self-seeking politicians for violence in the forthcoming general elections in the country.

“We believe the most important day in a person’s life is the day he is born. If Prophet Muhammed had not been born on this day, then we wouldn’t be sitting here to celebrate.

“Prophet Muhammed made impacts. Therefore, what is important is whether or not we are also making impacts in life.

“I want to encourage us today that as we continue to mark his birth, let us make efforts to get close to what he was. It goes to all of us, including Christians.

“Let us remind ourselves at this moment of celebration that we need to show love so that the gap that has been created by conflicts and hatred can be closed,” he said.

According to him, love does not hate or discriminate, adding “it doesn’t know you are Yoruba, Nupe, Ikwerre, Ijaw, Hausa, Igbo or Fulani.

“It does not even know religion. So let us not discriminate on the basis of tribe, ethnicity or religion,” he said.

In his address of welcome, Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, thanked the government for organising the dinner.

He also congratulated the Muslim Ummah in the state on this year’s Eid-el Maulud celebrations.

Also, Chairman of the state Council for Islamic Affairs, Yakubu Otobo, expressed appreciation to the Governor Douye Diri-led administration for always giving the Muslim community a sense of belonging.

He pledged the continued support of the Muslim Ummah to government’s policies and programmes, assuring that they would continue to offer prayers for the peace, stability and development of the state. 

(NAN)